Folding shipping-case.



T. M. HOLLOMAN. FOLDING SHIPPING CASE.

APPLICATION FILED ms. 28. 1914.

- Mm 5 M ...,m n PT m K m W m s W m m IHE NORRIS PETERS CO. PHOTO-LITHQ, WASHINGTON D. C.

UNl'FE PATENT FFllQlE.

THOMAS M. I'IOLLOMAN, OF EVANSVILLE, INDIANA.

FOLDING SHIPPING-CASE.

Application filed February 28, 1914.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, THOMAS M. HOLLO- MAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Evansville, in the county of Vanderburg and State of Indiana, have invented new and useful Improvements in Folding Shipping-Cases, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to receptacles, and more particularly to the class of collapsible or foldable shipping cases, crates, or the like.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a case of this character wherein the same can be brought to folded or collapsed position when empty so that it will occupy the least possible space during transit from one point to anoth r, or when stored.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a case of this character wherein the body or frame of the same is constructed of novel form so that it can be readily and conveniently folded, and when set up will be strong and durable without possibility of the accidental collapsing or folding thereof.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a case of this character which is simple in construction, and inexpensive in manufacture.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the construction, com- "ination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claims hereunto appended.

In the drawings :Figure l is a side elevation of a case constructed in accordance with the invention, the same being ready for use. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view therethrough. Fig. 3 is a side elevation, showing the receptacle folded or collapsed. Fig. 4 is a vertical transverse sectional View on the line 44 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the joints of the frame of the case. Fig. 6 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view through the case.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views in the drawings.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the case comprises a collapsible or foldable frame A including upper and lower longi- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 2t), 1915.

Serial No. 821,713.

tudinal side bars 5 and 6 respectively, end cross bars 6, all of which are in the form of angle irons, and break jointed uprights 7 which have their outer ends pivoted at 8 to the ends of the side bars 5 and 6 respectively, so that on pressing upon the upper bars 5 the jointed sections of the uprights 7 will be folded inwardly on the break of the joint, thereby bringing the frame A to folded or collapsed condition to enable it to be conveniently handled during transit from one point to another as well as permitting it to be stored in the least possible space.

Connected to the the uprights 7 are inwardly convergent brace bars 10 which are preferably made from flat iron and are formed with spaced parallel ears 11 in which is fixed a cross pin 12, the said ears 11 being spaced the required distance apart to accommodate therebetween the lugs 13 which are formed on the lowermost end cross pieces 6 at the center of the frame. The lugs 13 have passed therethrough the pins 12 for fastening the braces in a position to prevent the lateral swinging of the sections of the uprights 7, and thus sustain the frame A in set up condition. These braces 10 serve to resist side strain upon the frame A when in set up condition. Connected to the pivots 9 of the joints in the uprights 7 are swinging arms 14, while 7 the bars 6 are formed with notches 17 in which engage the free ends of the said arms 14 when the uprights 7 are at right angles to the upper and lower bars 5 and 6, thus locking the joints to prevent the folding of the sections of the uprights 7, and thus sustaining the frame A in set up condition.

Arranged within the frame A is a flexible body 15 preferably made from canvas sheeting, and is hung therein in any suitable manner to serve as a receptacle for the contents of the case. The case can be closed at its top by means of any suitable form of lid or cover.

It will be apparent that to collapse the frame A it is necessary to disengage the arms ll from the notches 17 in the bars 6, and thereafter on pressing inwardly upon the side bars 5 at the top of the frame the uprights 7 will break inwardly at the joints thereof for the folding of the case of the frame to bring the case into collapsed or folded condition. The uppermost sections pivots 9 at the joints in of the uprights are formed with inturned stop ears 16 which engage the lowermost section of the upright when in alinement with each other to prevent the outward breaking at the oints of the uprights when the case is set up for use.

From the foregoing it is thought that the construction and manner of use of the in vention will be clearly understood, and therefore a more extended explanation has been omitted.

What is claimed is 1 In a substantially oblong shaped folding crate, the combination of a lower frame, uprights hingedly disposed at the opposite corners of said lower frame, an upper frame hingedly mounted upon the upper extremities of the said uprights, said uprights comprising two sections hinged intermediately and adapted to fold inwardly between said frames, one section of each upright being formed with an car at right angles thereto at the point of its hinge connection to engage the other section of the said upright to limit the outward swinging movement thereof, a longitudinal bar disposed medially in the lower frame, downwardly convergent braces connected to the hinge joints between the sections of the uprights and pivoted to the ends of the longitudinal bar in the lower frame, the longer side edges of the lower frame being formed with notches between the ends thereof, and swinging arms supported by the hinge connections between the sections of the uprights and having bifur- Gopies of this patent may be obtained for cated ends engaging in said notches in the lower frame.

2. In a substantially oblong shaped folding crate, the combination of a lower frame, uprights hingedly disposed at the opposite corners of said lower frame, an upper frame hingedly mounted upon the upper extremities of the said uprights, said uprights comprising two sections hinged intermediately and adapted to fold inwardly between said frames, one section of each upright being formed with an ear at right angles thereto at the point of its hinge connection to engage the other section of the said upright to limit the outward swinging movement'the're of, a longitudinalbar disposed medially in the lower frame, downwardly convergent braces connected to the hinge joints between the sections of the uprights and pivoted to the ends of the longitudinal bar in the lower frame, the longer side edges of'the lower frame being formed with notches between the ends thereof, swinging arms supported bv the hinge connections between the sections of the uprights and having bifurcated ends engaging in said notches in the lower frame, and a flexiblebody supported between the upper and lower frames, e

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

' THOMAS HOLLOMAN.

Witnesses:

GEO. C. MILLER, CARL O Donn'rnn;

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of I Eatents,

Washington, 0. p 

